The tea leaves have been left all over the map. Now it's time to follow them straight to the No. 12 overall selection.

That is where the Giants are scheduled to pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. It's their highest selection since the '04 draft, when they eventually walked away with quarterback Eli Manning.

A trade of that magnitude this time around is unlikely. The Giants don't have the same type of ammunition. They're picking 12th, not fourth, in this year's draft. There's a big difference.

Several of their top targets will be out of reach for the Giants this year. Under no reasonable scenario will defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, linebacker Khalil Mack, offensive tackle Greg Robinson or wide receiver Sammy Watkins be available at No. 12.

As a result, they were left off this list of possible candidates for the Giants in the first round. Everyone else was in play.

There is one notable (but intentional) omission -- North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron. The consensus top tight end was left off for a reason. Everything I've heard in recent months and weeks indicates the Giants aren't especially high on him, and that they won't draft him at No. 12. Even though misdirection is common this time of the year, that disqualified him for this list.

If this were simply players I would select with the No. 12 pick, Ebron would be at or near the top, despite his shaky hands and subpar blocking. I'm a big fan of dynamic tight ends who can leap over defenders and high-point the ball. But the Giants apparently don't see that from Ebron. They're not overly impressed with his skills and overall package.

A player believed to be on the other end of the spectrum is Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin. His spot below indicates what's been said around the league. The Giants are extremely high on him.

Martin's not the only one. Based on what I've heard from sources around the league and people inside and around the organization, here are the players the Giants are most likely to select with the 12th pick.

10. LB Ryan Shazier (Ohio State)
The speedy linebacker would be a difference-maker on the weakside. But we know where the Giants stand on linebackers. They haven't draft one in the first round since Carl Banks in 1984. Shazier would only be the Giants' choice as a last resort if the other nine guys below were off the board.

9. DE Anthony Barr (UCLA)
The Giants love them some pass rushers. Barr is not by any means a finished product, but he's similar to Justin Tuck coming out of Notre Dame with a tall, lean frame that can easily handle more weight. And Barr's an even better athlete.

8. LB C.J. Mosley (Alabama)
Mosley's a player. He can fit anywhere the Giants put him on defense, including as an outside linebacker before eventually moving inside to replace Jon Beason as the middle linebacker of the future.

7. OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan)
Talented player who some believe would have been the top tackle in last year's draft. His off-the-field run-ins scare the Giants.

6. DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh)
He's the 3-technique defensive tackle that would make a difference in the Giants defense, especially on passing downs.

5. WR Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU)
Some teams view Beckham as the second-best WR in the draft. His route-running sets him apart from the competition.

4. WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M)
Given the choice between Beckham and Evans, the Giants go with Evans only because of his size. His ability to go up and catch the football in contested situations is too enticing.

3. S Ha-Ha Clinton Dix (Alabama)
It's becoming more and more likely that there is not going to be a quarterback run in the first 11 picks. That could easily leave Dix -- a Top 10 talent -- as the best player on the Giants' board.

2. OT Jake Matthews (Texas A&M)
I can easily see the Giants trading up if Matthews slips and is available at picks No. 9 or 10. He's a clean plug-and-play left tackle prospect who comes with few question marks.

1. OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame)
Word on the street is that the Giants prefer Martin to Lewan. The Notre Dame product comes with less baggage and, despite common perception, is more physical in the run game.